When you need a break from your regular routine, Mexico's Baja Peninsula offers endless stretches of beach and a laid-back, sunny atmosphere. The towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo make up the area nicknamed "Los Cabos," a popular tourist destination in Mexico. Since so many tourists have been there before you, rest assured that planning a vacation to the area is not a difficult thing to do.

Step 1

Get your passport in order. If you plan to fly to Los Cabos, you will need a valid passport to enter Mexico and return to the United States. While Mexico used to be accessible to U.S. citizens without a passport, that's not the case anymore. If you need to get a passport or renew one that will expire in less than six months, visit the U.S. Department of State's "Passports" page.

Step 2

Get a feel for the area by checking out some guide books on the region. Purchase a guide book such as Frommer's "Los Cabos and Baja California" from a local bookstore, or use online resources such as CabosBest.com or LosCabosGuide.com to see what's available in the area.

Step 3

Arrange for air travel. The easiest way for people to travel to Los Cabos from the United States is to fly into Los Cabos International Airport, located just outside the cities of San Jose and Cabo San Lucas. Book your flight through an online travel agent such as Expedia or Orbitz, using the airport code "SJD" as your destination city. Many U.S. airlines have service to Los Cabos, so you can also book your flight directly through the individual airlines by visiting their websites. Service to the area is provided by American, Delta, Frontier, Continental, Northwest, Sun Country, United and US Airways, as well as several Mexican airlines. When your reservation is complete, write down any confirmation codes provided for the reservation, as you'll likely need them when you check in at the airport.

Step 4

Book your accommodations. While hotel rooms abound in Los Cabos, you'll also find a number of condo and timeshare rentals. Use online resources such as CabosBest.com or LosCabosGuide.com to track down hotels or vacation rentals that may be attractive to you, and then book online or call the company and provide your desired dates, personal information and credit card number to hold the reservation. You can also use more generic booking agents such as Orbitz or Expedia to book hotels, but they may not have the selection that more locally based guides do. As you did with your flight, write down any confirmation codes provided and have them handy upon check-in.

Step 5

Check with your hotel about any dress codes and pack accordingly. While most of the area allows for casual dress, some hotels have a dinner dress code that includes long pants and covered shoes for men. While you'll have plenty of use for flip-flops, swimsuits and tank tops in Los Cabos, that type of attire is typically not acceptable to the locals for dining in a nice restaurant. If you want to blend in and stay in line with local customs, bring along some lightweight, breathable clothing with the proper amount of coverage for your arms and legs.

Step 6

Arrange for ground transportation when you arrive. Taxi service is available curbside at the Los Cabos airport terminal, but many people opt to book transportation ahead of time through companies such as Cabos Express or Gray Line Los Cabos. Visit one of the company's websites, enter in your arrival date and provide credit card information to make the reservation. As before, keep your confirmation numbers to provide to the driver when requested. When you arrive at the Los Cabos airport, look for signs for the company you are using; if you've selected private service, look for the driver at the terminal, where he will likely be holding a sign with your name on it.

Tip

As an alternative to booking your flights and hotels individually, most online booking agents will offer you package deals that often provide lower rates when you bundle the hotels and flights together. Some packages also throw in a rental car, which can be handy if you're planning to do a lot of traveling around the area.

Many cab drivers, gift shops and restaurants will accept U.S. currency, but it's always good to have some Mexican pesos on hand. ATMs in Mexico are typically available for use by U.S. cardholders and can be the place to get the best rates. Before you leave the Los Cabos airport, use an ATM or go to a currency exchange booth to get some local currency.

Resources

About the Author

Nicole Vulcan has been a journalist since 1997, covering parenting and fitness for The Oregonian, careers for CareerAddict, and travel, gardening and fitness for Black Hills Woman and other publications. Vulcan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and journalism from the University of Minnesota. She's also a lifelong athlete and is pursuing certification as a personal trainer.